Download – Poisoning – Emergency Management

Drug overdose and poisoning is a common reason for presentation to emergency departments, accounting for 3-5% of attendances and causes over 2000 deaths a year in the UK. Drug overdose is the most frequent presentation of deliberate self-harm and this may complicate management. However most patients are young, otherwise medically well and managed appropriately the vast majority should recover fully.

This article aims to discuss the general principles behind the management of poisoning and then to review the specific treatment of the more common overdoses.

Rebecca Appelboam